And this the North could not well yield.

While the slave-holding States were clamoring for the suppression of Abolitionism in the free States, Abolitionism was giving evidences of extraordinary expansion, and activity.

It had risen well above the zero point in politics.

It was gaining numbers and it was gaining votes.

A new element had appeared at the polls and both of the old parties began to exhibit a certain degree of impressibility to the latest attraction.